Nantong People’s Hospital is a 4.5 million-square-foot, 2,600-bed facility, which is being built according to a five-year-plan developed by government officials in order to optimize the allocation of healthcare resources and meet the medical needs of a growing city.

Nantong is a city located in China’s Jiangsu province, north of the Yangtze River estuary and opposite Shanghai. Known as the intersection of the coastal and Yangtze River economic belt, Nantong’s location and natural resources have positioned it as a new economic center and, as such, it has experienced significant growth and an accelerated pace of urban development.

The new facility, which is the first hospital being designed on the Nantong Central Innovation Center campus, will house an ICU, rehab, cardiovascular and neuro services, various clinics, an infectious disease hospital, and academic and education research space. The main design goal for this large teaching hospital is to create an environment that encourages communication and collaboration among physicians, researchers and caregivers by connecting patient care, research and education functions seamlessly.

Three inpatient towers will connect horizontally on every floor to research/education spaces and sit atop the diagnostic/treatment podium for efficient vertical circulation. These towers shape the central courtyard around which all public circulations are organized. To protect patient privacy and dignity, public circulation, including the elevator lobbies, is carefully separated from inpatient and staff space. Public amenities including the cafeteria, retail and pharmacy are located on the basement level, also situated around the courtyard to extend natural light and views to this level. A future subway station will be connected to this basement level offering convenient access for the public.

The facade, featuring extensive louvers to control the solar heat, and landscaped roof gardens on the podium will create an environmentally conscious setting. Additionally, several sky gardens located between the inpatient units will provide visual relief on the long facades and also serve as inpatient rehab therapy gardens.

All aspects of Nashville’s Gresham, Smith and Partners’ design reflect modernity and cutting-edge care, and serve to make a powerful statement about the regional importance of the city. The project is slated for completion within three years.